PDP-1 (was Re: OT and getting further OT...)

[Adrian Graham]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org 
> [mailto:cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Eric Smith
> Sent: 12 February 2005 02:03
> To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
> Subject: RE: PDP-1 (was Re: OT and getting further OT...)
> 
> I don't recall ever seeing a similar mechanism in a product 
> predating the CD player.  It's fairly specialized, and 
> wouldn't be of much use for anything other than reading 
> optical disks.  For instance, other than optical disks, what 
> would need both coarse and fine tracking control systems, and 
> the ability to focus to a micron-sized spot?

I was perhaps thinking that the idea of a CD has been around since the late
1960s and managing to muddle my facts. No surprise there :) Seems like
prototype players didn't exist till the late 1970s.

cheers

a